My crafting tends to be critter-based because all my cats look like psychos!
What began as a simple solution to a noisy household dilemma has grown into a flourishing business for local artisan Carey Jones.
Owner of Carey's Crafts Needle Felting, Carey has spent the past decade perfecting her craft, transforming wool into intricate handmade creations sold across the region. Her journey into needle felting came about unexpectedly. Previously a keen sewer, she was forced to rethink her hobby after introducing a new puppy into her home.
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“We got a new puppy who didn’t like the sound of the sewing machine,” she said. “I would give her a treat to stop her barking, and then that trained her to bark for a treat. So I had to find a quiet craft.”
That quiet craft turned out to be needle felting, a decision that would shape her future career. After experimenting with various creative outlets, Carey found herself consistently drawn back to needle felting. Over the last ten years, her dedication has turned a pastime into a profession.
“For about the last ten years this has just been constant, and since Covid, it’s been a full-time job, which is wonderful,” she said. “To do what you love is just absolutely amazing and I do love it. A day not needle felting is a day wasted.”
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Today, her work is stocked at Bonny Fabrics and Wool in St Annes, and she also attends craft fairs in Blackpool, Lytham, Fleetwood and further afield. Carey’s work is particularly known for its animal-inspired designs. “I tend to be sort of critter based,” she explained, though she also creates scenic pieces and houses.
Her most popular items are themed mice, which can be customised for a variety of occasions. “Usually there’s a bride and groom and all sorts of thing, or a groom and groom, so you can tailor those to what people want,” she said.
Customer requests often shape her designs. A recent example is a red squirrel kit she created after years of encouragement from a customer. “He’s actually been asking me for years and I finally did it this year,” she added.
Despite her versatility, Carey admits some subjects are more challenging than others. “Cats are really hard and all my cats have looked like psychos!” she joked. While Carey can complete a piece in a couple of hours, she emphasises that the craft requires patience and practice.
“That’s ten years of full-time stabbing,” she laughed, referring to the repetitive process of shaping wool fibres with a barbed needle. The technique involves compressing sheep’s wool fibres by repeatedly poking them, gradually forming detailed shapes. “Whichever way you stab and push the fibres is how you shape the wool,” she explained.
For beginners, however, the process is slower. Workshops typically last four to five hours, offering participants a chance to learn at a relaxed pace. “It’s slow and steady,” she said. “But it’s mindful, it’s relaxing and you don’t have to count anything. It’s just repetitive.”
Carey has built a loyal following through her workshops, with many participants returning time and again. “I’ve got some really lovely people that come along to nearly all my workshops,” she said.
Upcoming sessions include crafting miniature teddy bears, floral bears, 2D pictures, and Highland cows, with opportunities for private group workshops also available. For more information visit Bonny Fabrics and Wool in St Annes or Carey's Crafts Needle Felting on Facebook